FATWA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (FMS)

The World Fatwa Management and Research Institute (INFAD), USIM is responsible in providing information and consultation services, particularly on various aspects of fatwa management and research.One of the main objective of INFAD is to create awareness in the society on various dimensions of fatwa and its importance in the implementation of Islamic law in different contexts and localities. It also aims to eliminate any confusion regarding Islamic law and promote better understanding and unity among Muslims. Information and communication technology (ICT) together with other knowledge management tools are used to help achieve these objectives.

The Fatwa Management System (FMS) developed by INFAD is a comprehensive system which manage fatwa systematically, using information and communication technology. The initiative started in July 2003 with the development of a portal to collect and disseminate global fatwas and related information and communication technology. The initiative started in July 2003 with the development of a portal to collect and disseminate global fatwas and related information in three different languages namely Malay, English and Arabic. Approximately 12,000 fatwas and relevant information have been collected locally and from abroad. Continuous effort is taken to further improve the portal, in order to meet the national and international demand, while providing attractive information exchange and function as a platform to disseminate knowledge

The first step in realizing this initiative was to find a standard ICT programme, suitable to develop an integrated knowledge management system for fatwa management and research. Among the main features of this programme is to help streamline content in fatwa received from various State Fatwa Department in Malaysia, and centralize the coordination of collection and dissemination of information. An intelligent search engine, capable of intergrating search across the three main languages is incorporated towards developing a comprehensive, computer-based fatwa taxonomy for global content.